Improved tobacco-press



UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

JOHN H. FELLOVS, OF LEVISPORT, ASSIGNOR TO HIMSELF AND D. DUNN, OF LOUISVILLE, KENTUCKY.v

IMPROVED TOBACCO-PRESS.

Speclioation forming part of Letters Patent No. 4 5,558, dated December i0, 1364.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, J @EN H. FELLows, of Lewisport, in the county of Hancock and State of Kentucky, have invented a new and Improved Tobacco-Press; and I do hereby declare that the following is afull,lclear, and

exact description thereof, which will enable others skilled in the art to `'make and use the same, reference being had to the accompanying drawing, forming part of this specification.

The drawing represents a sectional front elevation of this invention.

This invention consists in the application of two pairs of toggle-arms acted upon by a rope and windlass, and of a balance-weight suspended from a suitable weight running over pulleys, in combination with the pressbar or follower of a press, in such a manner that by the action of the windlass' and togglearins the follower can be depressed with great force, and 0n releasing the toggle-arms the follower is carried. back to its original posi-v tion by the action of the balance-weight without the aid of the operator or with very little exertion on his part.

A represents a frame made of wood or of any other suitable material of sufficient strength for the occasion. The uprighrs B of this frame are provided on their inner sides with strips c, which form the guides forl the verticallysliding press-bar or follower C. This follower is suspended from two pairs of toggle-arms, D D', which are connected by pivots b to the top cross-bar, c, of the frame A, and by pivots d to the follower, as clearly shown in the drawing. The inner ends of the arms are connected to each other by pivots e, and they are closed up by a rope, f, one end of which is fastened to one of the toggle-arms, D, and its other end to a windlass, E, and which extends over a pulley, g, the axle of which is secured in one of the toggle-arms, D', and also over a pulley, 71, the axle of which is fastened in one of the uprights B of the frame A. By turning the windlass in the direction of the arrow marked near it in the drawing, a strain is exerted on the rope and the toggle-arms are straightened out, causing the follower to descend with great force; but if the windlass is turned in a direc tion opposite the arrow the rope is slackened, allowing the toggle-arms to spread and the follower to rise.

In order to facilitate the operation of raising the follower, as soon as the rope f is slackcned a rope, lz., is connected to said follower at about the middle of its length, and this rope extends over two pulleys, i j, in the top bar of the frame A, and its weight k is suspended from its loose end. This weight is so adjusted that it just balances the follower, and when the strain on the rope f ceases a slight strain on the rope h is sufficient to raise the follower and put the press in readiness for another set.

The toggle-arms D D are confined in a slotted cross-bar, Z, which extends from one of the uprights B to the other.

This press is very simple in its construction. It costs less than the screw-press generally used for pressing tobacco, and it can be worked much faster and with less labor than the same, and it can be used with advantage for press ing materials of any kind besides tobacco.

I claim mas new and desire to secure by Letters Patent- The toggle-arms D D', windlass E, and follower C, in combination with the balanceweight 7c, constructed and operating substan-` tially as and for the purpose set forth.

JOHN H. rnnnows.

Vitnesses:

F. HoLMs, WM. ADAMS. 

